Method of appliqueing tiles to a bathtub

ABSTRACT

A tiled bathtub (B) in which tiles (T) are selected from among a variety of tiles and are attached to the side of the tub in a selected pattern. Once a pattern is determined and the tiles are selected, a bonding agent is applied to the tub. The bonding agent is an adhesive agent. After the adhesive sets, tiles are fitted to the side of the tub in accordance with the chosen design. Once the tile mesh appliquè is in place, attached and bonded to the side of the tub, a grout is applied between the tiles. After the grout has set a clear coat can be optionally applied over the tile to protect them.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of provisional patent application 61/897,881 filed Oct. 31, 2013.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to bathtubs; and, more particularly, to the application of tiles to the sides of a bathtub to enhance its aesthetic appearance.

It is known to frame in a bathtub and then affix tiles to the frame so to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the tub. Doing so is commonplace with modern bathtubs as part of the original construction of a bathroom, or its renovation. That is, during the construction or renovation, a bathtub is framed-in, and decorative tiles are applied to the exterior of the frame which is of wood or other construction material.

The present invention is directed to a method of appliqueing tiles to a non-framed standalone type bathtub; for example, a Victorian style tub resting on claw feet or clubfeet.

While Victorian and similar style tubs are still made, many people like to buy and refinish older tubs of this type. Tiling such tubs provides an alternate way of refinishing them rather than, for example, painting or reglazing them and; whether the tub is new or old, tiling provides an easy way to dramatically highlight such a tub and make it the centerpiece of a bathroom.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed to the application of tiles to the side of a bathtub to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the tub. The tiles are made from a variety of materials and are attached to a bathtub using various adhesive bonding agents. After the tiles are in place, a grout is applied between the tiles to fill in any gaps between them.

An advantage to the application of tiles is that it provides a wide variety of ways to decorate the tub, particularly since there are many different type tiles, or combinations of tiles which can be used to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the tub.

Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects of the invention are achieved as set forth in the illustrative embodiments shown in the drawings which form a part of the specification.

FIG. 1 is a partial elevation view of a side of a bathtub illustrating the positioning of tiles on the side of the tub;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of a completed tub with tiles affixed to the sides of the tub in a desired pattern;

FIG. 3 is a deconstructed view of a bathtub illustrating how tiles will fit together to form a solid exterior tub surface during an appliqueing process;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a template for appliqueing tiles to a bathtub; and,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bathtub with the feet detached and illustrating how the tiles appear when the appliqueing process is complete.

Corresponding reference characters illustrate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it will be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Referring to the drawings, a free standing bathtub B such as is shown in FIG. 2 is made, for example, of cast iron, an acrylic material, or other man made material. The tub can be one of a variety of shapes, the clubfoot tub shown in FIG. 2 being illustrative only. The tub of FIG. 2 has a rolled over upper edge or lip L, and feet F to support the tub on a floor. Feet F may be detachable from tub B as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5.

In accordance with the invention, and as shown in FIG. 1, tiles T are applied to the side of bathtub B to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the tub. As shown if FIG. 1 the tiles are arranged in one pattern; i.e., vertical and horizontal rows. In other of the Figs., the tiles are shown arranged in another pattern; i.e., diagonally or diamond shaped. Accordingly, it will be understood that the tiles may be arranged in a variety of patterns without departing from the scope of the invention. For convenience throughout the drawings, only representative tiles are indicated with the reference character T rather than all the tiles.

The tiles T are selected from a variety of tiles. These can include glass tiles, ceramic tiles, plastic tiles, porcelain tiles, wood or metal tiles, and mother of pearl tiles among other types of tiles. The size and shape of the tiles is selected in accordance with the artistic design for bathtub B. So, too, is the color of the tiles used and the pattern of their placement on the side of the tub.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, in preparing a design for the placement of tiles to the side of bathtub B, the bathtub is visualized in sections S1-S6, it being understood that these sections represent only a portion of the side of the tub and may vary in size and contour depending upon the shape and size of the tub. For each section S1-S6, a template P1-P6 respectively corresponding to one of the sections is prepared. The templates are useful in the appliqueing process because they facilitate how tiles T should be laid out to produce a desired pattern and help create a uniformity of design over the entire outer surface of bathtub B. Use of the templates also reduces the amount of time required in applying the tiles to the side of the tub since the tiles used are set out in accordance with the template. In addition, use of the templates is advantageous where a number of bathtubs of the same type are to be tiled.

Once a pattern is determined, the templates completed, and the tiles selected, a bonding agent is applied to the side of bathtub B. The bonding agent is an adhesive agent selected, for example, from among liquid bonding agents which are “painted” onto the side of the tub, or a solid, glue-type agent which is applied with a trowel. The bonding agent can be clear, a neutral color, or a color compatible with the colors of the tiles being applied.

After the adhesive has set, the tiles are fitted to the side of the tub in accordance with the template. As previously noted, in addition to the patterns shown in the drawings, other patterns of tiles may also applied to the side of the tub; these including, for example, geometric shapes such as squares or rectangles, and rounded or circular shapes, oval shapes, and irregular shapes and the like. Also, it will be understood that the design may call for only a portion of the side of a tub to be tiled with the remainder of the tub surface being a selected color.

Once a tile mesh appliquè is in place, attached and bonded to the bathtub's exterior surface, a grout G is applied between the tiles. This is as shown in FIG. 1. The grout can be a non-sanded or flexible grout, or a sandible grout. The choice of grout depends upon the type of tile used, and the grout can be, for example, white, or a color which enhances the overall pattern of the tiles.

Finally, after the grout has set and, if required, sanded, a clear coat can be optionally applied over the tiles to protect them for marring such as scratches or discoloration.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects and advantages of the present disclosure have been achieved and other advantageous results have been obtained. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of enhancing the appearance of a bathtub comprising: applying a bonding agent to the outer surface of the bathtub; fitting tiles in place to the outer surface of the bathtub in a predetermined desired pattern, the tiles being held in place by the bonding agent; and, applying a grout between the tiles to fill in any gaps between tiles.
 2. The method of claim 1 in which the pattern is a random pattern.
 3. The method of claim 1 further including: dividing the bathtub into sections; preparing a separate template for each section, the template used to determine a pattern in which tiles are to be applied to the corresponding section of the bathtub; and, applying tiles to each section of the bathtub in accordance with the template for that section of the bathtub.
 4. The method of claim 1 in which the tiles are selected from among glass tiles, ceramic tiles, plastic tiles, porcelain tiles, wood tiles, metal tiles, and mother of pearl tiles, with the type, size and shape of the tiles being selected in accordance with the artistic design for the bathtub.
 5. The method of claim 4 in which the bonding agent is an adhesive agent and is applied by painting onto a side of the bathtub, or by application with a trowel.
 6. The method of claim 5 in which the grout is one of a non-sandible, flexible grout, or a sandible grout.
 7. The method of claim 6 in which the method further includes applying a clear coat over the tiles and grout.
 8. An artistically designed bathtub made in accordance with the method of claims 1-7. 